In an event that is starting to rival Michelin’s various regional guides in terms of buzz and build-up, San Pellegrino has announced the 2011 version of its World’s 50 Best Restaurants. This year, Rene Redzepi and Noma are tops once again. And, not to bury the lede, the French Laundry isn’t in the Top 50 at all. A year after it clocked in at #32, it’s at #56 this year. It previously held the top ranking in 2003 and 2004; Thomas Keller‘s Per Se, however, is #10 again. Curious.

Last year’s list saw Nomaexplode to prominence when it unseated El Bulli, which had spent four straight years atop the list. El Bulli is completely absent this year, presumably because of its looming closure; Jay Rayner has more on the rationale:

“Apparently the powers that be at Restaurant Magazine, which runs the list, decided that because [Ferran] Adrià is to close the restaurant in July and turn it into a culinary foundation it should no longer be eligible … Panellists are supposed to have eaten at all the restaurants voted for during the last 18 months – it’s not meant to be a picture of the future, rather a snapshot of what has been – thus the reasoning behind El Bulli’s exclusion is questionable.

Of course, the list has plenty of detractors, namely those who are quick to point out the obvious: that there’s no way all the same “inspectors” could visit every restaurant — let alone get into impossible places like El Bulli or Noma or for that matter, the French Laundry. Then there’s all the lobbying, junkets, voting curiosities and so on.

So, as with all such guides and rankings, it surely has its issues, but as with all such guides and rankings, it also provides much discussion fodder, so let’s get to it. Go wild in the comments, too.

The full list is below, with the +/- movement compared to last year. Chicago’s Alinea (#6) is the top North American restaurant on the list again; the only USA representatives are New Yorkers: Per Se (#10), Daniel (#11), Le Bernardin (#18), Eleven Madison Park (#24), and Momofuku Ssam Bar (#40). WD-50 also dropped off the Top 50.

Below is the full list, plus an update of the restaurants ranked 50 through 100, including a trio of locals: The French Laundry(#56), Manresa (#69) and Coi (#75).